History, Law, and Politics

Michener, James A. [Lech Walesa]

Pilgrimage: A Memoir of Poland and Rome.

Emmaus, Pennsylvania : Rodale Press, 1990.

First edition of this memoir of Michener’s travels in Poland and Rome. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed and dated by James Michener on the title page and signed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa on the introduction page. Lech Wałęsa is a Polish labor leader and statesman who co-founded Solidarity, the first independentContinue reading "Pilgrimage: A Memoir of Poland and Rome."

Dickens, Charles

The Selected Works of Charles Dickens: Sketches by Boz Illustrative of Every-Day Life and Every-Day People, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Master Humphrey’s Clock, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, Dombey and Son, The Personal History of David Copperfield, Bleak House, Hard Times. For These Times, Little Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities, The Uncommercial Traveller, The Adventures of Oliver Twist, Our Mutual Friend, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

London : Chapman and Hall; Bradbury and Evans, 1838-1870.

Finley bound collection of the selected works of Charles Dickens. Octavo, 15 volumes finely bound in full straight grain morocco by Carss & Co. with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and double gilt-ruled inner dentelles,Continue reading "The Selected Works of Charles Dickens: Sketches by Boz Illustrative of Every-Day Life and Every-Day People, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Master Humphrey’s Clock, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, Dombey and Son, The Personal History of David Copperfield, Bleak House, Hard Times. For These Times, Little Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities, The Uncommercial Traveller, The Adventures of Oliver Twist, Our Mutual Friend, The Mystery of Edwin Drood."

Campan, Jeanne Louise Henriette [Marie Antoinette]

Memoirs of the Private Life of Marie Antoinette to Which Are Added Personal Recollections Illustravtive of the Reigns of Louis XIV, XV, XVI.

New York : Brentano's, 1917.

Finely bound example of this personal firsthand account of the French queen’s domestic world written by her first lady-in-waiting. Octavo, two volumes, bound in full dark blue morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and elaborate gilt tooling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Memoirs of the Private Life of Marie Antoinette to Which Are Added Personal Recollections Illustravtive of the Reigns of Louis XIV, XV, XVI."

The Author W. P. [Penn, William]

The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity.

[London] 1670 [i.e. 1671].

Rare second edition of one of the most persuasive defences of liberty and “the free and uninterrupted exercise of our consciences”(William Penn). Quarto, bound in full modern morocco, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, inner dentelles elaborately stamped in blind. A powerful argument for toleration and against the intrusion of civil authority into religiousContinue reading "The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity."

Gorbachev, Mikhail [Lech Walesa]

Memoirs.

New York : Doubleday, 1996.

First edition of Gorbachev’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Mikhail Gorbachev and additionally signed by Lech Walesa on the title page. Lech Wałęsa is a Polish labor leader and statesman who co-founded Solidarity, the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc, which became a driving force in the struggle againstContinue reading "Memoirs."

Herzl, Theodor. Translated by Lotta Levensohn. Preface by Stephen S. Wise [David Ben-Gurion]

Old-New Land [“Altneuland”].

New York : Bloch Publishing Co, 1941.

First edition in English of Herzl’s classic work. Octavo, original cloth. A gifted copy accompanied by a slip from the first prime minister of the State of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, laid in, “With Compliments from D. Ben-Gurion.” David Ben-Gurion (1886–1973) and Theodor Herzl (1860–1904) were two of the most significant figures in the history ofContinue reading "Old-New Land [“Altneuland”]."

Bryant, Jacob

A New System, or, an Analysis of Ancient Mythology: Wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition of Fable; and to reduce the Truth to its Original Purity. [Bryant’s Mythology].

London : Printed for T. Payne, Mews-Gate; P. Elmsly, in the Strand; B. White, in Fleet-Street; and J. Walter, Charing-Cross, 1774-1776.

First edition of Bryant’s Mythology, one of the most ambitious eighteenth-century attempts to reconcile classical mythology with biblical and historical truth. Royal quarto, three volumes bound in full period calf, rebacked, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spines in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and scrolling toContinue reading "A New System, or, an Analysis of Ancient Mythology: Wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition of Fable; and to reduce the Truth to its Original Purity. [Bryant’s Mythology]."

Einstein, Albert

Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist.

Evanston : The Library of Living Philosophers, Inc, 1949.

Signed limited edition of Einstein’s singular autobiography. Octavo, original brown cloth, top edge gilt, frontispiece, illustrated throughout. One of 760 numbered copies signed and dated “Albert Einstein ‘49”, this is number 225. In fine condition. Housed in the original slipcase which is in near fine condition. Edited by Paul Arthur Schilpp. Frontispiece portrait of EinsteinContinue reading "Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist."

Branch, Taylor

America in the King Years Trilogy: Parting the Waters 1954-63; Pillar of Fire 1963-65; At Canaan’s Edge 1965-68.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1988-2006.

First editions of the author’s epic trilogy on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement. Octavo, 3 volumes, original publisher’s half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Parting the Waters is a presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the third free endpaper, “For Jack and Alice Bass, Thanks for theContinue reading "America in the King Years Trilogy: Parting the Waters 1954-63; Pillar of Fire 1963-65; At Canaan’s Edge 1965-68."

Goldin, Claudia

Career and Family: Women’s Century-Long Journey Toward Equity.

Princeton and Oxford : Princeton University Press, 2023.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning economist’s work on closing the gender wage gap. Octavo, original wrappers. Boldly signed by Claudia Goldin on the title page. In fine condition. Cover design by Lauren Michelle Smith.

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

London : Printed by Thomas Baskett, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, 1751.

Elegantly bound 18th century English Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, printed by Thomas Baskett and from the library of John Bird Sumner (1780-1862), Archbishop of Canterbury from 1848 to 1862. Folio, bound in full contemporary dark green grain morocco with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in seven compartments within raisedContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church. According to the Use of the Church of England. Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Oxford : Printed by the University Printers, 1701.

Rare early 18th century Book of Common Prayer in a royal binding bearing the ciphers of Queen Anne. Folio, bound in full contemporary green calf with gilt royal ciphers of Queen Anne to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, rebacked, gilt paneling and scrolling to the front and rear panels with royalContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church. According to the Use of the Church of England. Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of The Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Cambridge : Printed by Joseph Bentham, Printer to the University, 1745.

Rare 18th century Book of Common Prayer, formerly used in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court. Folio, bound in full contemporary black morocco with gilt royal cyphers of King George II to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and elaborate gilt scrolling to the front and rear panels, giltContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of The Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

Saint Augustine

Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God].

London : George Eld, 1610.

Rare first edition in English of Augustine’s monumental work. Translated by John Healey. Folio, bound in full brown calf, gilt titles to the spine. Large woodcut printer’s device on title (McKerrow 375). Decorative woodcut head-pieces and decorative and woodcut initials, including three twelve-line initials. In very good condition, ownership signature on title page dated 1790,Continue reading "Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God]."

Atherton, Gertrude Franklin

The Conqueror: Being the True and Romantic Story of Alexander Hamilton.

New York : The Macmillan Company, 1902.

First edition of this historical novel that blends biographical narrative with romanticized fiction to construct a dramatic portrait of one of America’s founding figures. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles and detailing to the spine and front panel, top edge gilt. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Mr. WaylandContinue reading "The Conqueror: Being the True and Romantic Story of Alexander Hamilton."

Roosevelt, Eleanor

India and the Awakening East.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1953.

First edition, early printing of Eleanor Roosevelt’s account of her travels through the Middle East and India. Octavo, original half cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with 32 pages of photographs. Boldly signed by Eleanor Roosevelt on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Roosevelt, Theodore

Through the Brazilian Wilderness.

New York : Charles Scribners Sons, 1914.

First edition of this classic adventure taken by Theodore Roosevelt. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, top edge gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece. Illustrated from photographs taken by Kermit Roosevelt and other members of the expedition, and with 3 maps, including 1 folding in the rear. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the authorContinue reading "Through the Brazilian Wilderness."

[Charlie Kirk]

The U.S. Constitution and Other Writings.

San Diego : Canterbury Classics, 2017.

Finely bound example of the Constitution of the United States. Octavo, bound in full leatherette, illustrated endpapers, all edges gilt. Boldly signed by Charlie Kirk on the half-title page. Kirk signed this in Palm Beach in December of 2024. In fine condition. Rare and desirable signed.

Frankl, Viktor E

The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1955.

First edition of Frankl’s classic work which explores topics on the meaning of life in general as well as the meaning of specific areas of one’s life, such as work and personal relationships. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Mr. Stettner with the kindest regardsContinue reading "The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy."

Churchill, Winston S

My Early Life; Thoughts and Adventures; Great Contemporaries; Step by Step.

London : Odhams Press Limited, 1936-1939.

First Odhams press edition of four of Churchill’s best-known works. Octavo, 4 volumes, original cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page in My Early Life, “To E.T. Vassallo from Winston S. Churchill, 1948. ” With a typed letter signed by Nina Edith Sturdee, Churchill‘s privateContinue reading "My Early Life; Thoughts and Adventures; Great Contemporaries; Step by Step."